Trexler Nature Preserve

Trexler Nature Preserve is a 1,108-acre protected area with a dense network of trails winding through forests, open fields, and wetlands along Jordan Creek. The waterway flows through the landscape, connecting different habitats that visitors can explore on foot or by bicycle.

Industrialist General Harry Clay Trexler acquired the land between 1901 and 1911 as a refuge for bison, elk, and deer herds. The area was later protected and opened to the public as a conservation space.

The Environmental Center serves as a gathering place where people learn about the local plants and animals, and how conservation efforts shape the land they visit. Regular programs and displays help visitors understand the relationships between different species in the forest.

The preserve offers more than 20 miles of marked trails for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven terrain, especially in wooded sections and around wetland areas.

A primitive campsite in the central section is specifically designed for scouting groups to experience outdoor life with minimal facilities. This remote spot lets young people spend nights in nature under basic conditions.